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Posted Feb 28, 2013, 3:51 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
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From the Spectator, 1956 after the two-way conversion of King and Main to one-way
Quote:
Roads Become Race Tracks, Traffic Committee Told
Members of the Transportation and Traffic Committee, sitting last night in a committee room packed with business men from areas affected by one-way streets, heard requests for major changes in the system.
Decreasing business returns, the refusal of old customers to visit the stores, large numbers of heavy trucks passing through the downtown area, the alleged conversion of King Street into a highway - all these and many other subjects were hurled at the committee by protesting businessmen from King Street East and West, James Street North, and York Street.
Vested Interest
In the latter connection, Manuel Zack (who appealed for a temporary reversion of York Street to two-way some weeks ago, and won his appeal only to see the City Council rescind its first decision) accused Wilbur Smith and Association of having a "vested interest" in Hamilton [sic] one-way system.
"This man, this expert from somewhere in Connecticut, stands to lose face throughout this continent if our one-way system is abandoned because it doesn't work well," Mr. Zack declared.
"It is beginning to look as if there is only one God and Wilbur Smith is His prophet!"
After two hours of submissions, arguments, appeals and threats by some business men to demand relief from their businesses assessments if nothing were dont to help their falling profits, the committee cleared the room and decided to consider Wilbur Smith's latest report on the system, and to hold a general meeting.
Wide Attendance
The meeting would be attended by representatives of all those bodies which were originally called in to assist in the introduction of the one-way system, including the HSR, the HAA, the Hamilton Safety League, the police, the downtown businessmen, and so on.
The discussion started when Alderman Joseph Lanza, chairman asked all the groups present to express themselves via one spokesman, and to address the chair rather than any single committee member.
Walter Wright, for James Street North business proprietors, said that in the first week of the new system, his own business lost 150 customers based on previous figures.
"And I can prove that by printed figures of transactions as recorded on my case register," he declared.
"We understood that the system [unreadable] to relieve traffic [text cut off]."
[...]
"You mean, if one wants merchandise, one visits the store most easily reached?" suggested Alderman Ramsey Evans, and Mr. Wright agreed.
Ben Wunder, representing King Street East businessmen, made a lengthy speech that was applauded by all delegates present.
"Once upon a time, my part of King Street was a leading shopping district," Mr. Wunder said. "Business has taken quite a drop. Many of my old customers are no longer to be seen - they telephone me and say they are sorry, they will not come any more, because the traffic is too heavy and there is nowhere to park. They send money by mail.
No Time To Look
"Many of us spent a lot of money on new store fronts," he went on. "It was futile. Our windows are no good nowadays, people have no time to stop and look. Nobody comes from the west end of the city any more. We would like to see King Street two-way once more.
"You people are supposed to be working for the people ... [sic] well, we are the people, too, and of what good is King Street without merchants? It seems as if everything possible has been done to take people away from King Street East!"
"Is there any evidence of customers who are said to be expressing regret at their inability to visit the store?" Alderman Evans asked. "Any letters from these people who are sending money by mail, and who cannot park?"
"I fail to see the use of such evidence, but if it's the letters you want, or signatures..."
"No, Mr. Wunder," Alderman Evans interrupted. "I want to (Continued on page 8, column 4).
Largest Stores Support System
More controversial than the federal elections - noisier than the starlings that besmirch their buildings - the marathon one-way street battles continued today among downtown merchants. Hamilton's largest department stores today signaled their approval of the basic system.
Of a representative group of merchants in the Mary-to-Walnut street area (where King Street is narrowest), 70 percent yesterday indicated disfavour with the present setup.
Major Kicks
The major complaints were that the westbound traffic moves by at too great a rate of speed [text cut off]
[...]
slackening off of regular customers on the one-way system, now in operation for nearly seven months.
"We have to go back to the old setup," he said, "because it's the only solution."
Dan Adler, owner of Adler's Furniture House, was vociferous in his condemnation of the one-way system.
Close At Four?
"We might as well close up shop at four o'clock," he commented. "People can't park on this side of the street between four and six, and the traffic is going too fast to permit safe parking at other hours."
The city recently installed a [text cut off]
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http://www.raisethehammer.org/blog/1...ne-way_streets
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